Author Topic: Something eating my seeds?  (Read 921 times)

Amy K

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 105
    • FL zone 8b
    • View Profile
Something eating my seeds?
« on: October 14, 2022, 10:45:08 AM »
I'm kinda new to seeds germination. I've been growing my seeds outside since September and ever thing seems fine until today. My seeds had been chewed on, some are dug up, and some are totally missing :(

All of the Eugenia seeds I gotten for free from Richard in this forum are all gone too. Who could have ate! They're just seeds with no flesh.

I'm very upset and now that I know I need to make a set up for seeds germination inside. But Idk where to start. ):





As you can see, something chew these. They're peanut butter fruit seeds


What left of my Eugenia seeds. All the other ones are completely missing from the cup
« Last Edit: October 14, 2022, 10:49:37 AM by Amy K »

achetadomestica

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2243
    • FLORIDA 9b
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2022, 11:45:30 AM »
Sounds like squirrels ?


roblack

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3008
    • Miami, FL 11A
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2022, 11:52:29 AM »
Squirrels or rats. Birds will attack seeds and sprouts as well. Best to cover/protect them if germinating outdoors.

Jaboticaba45

  • Check out TN Tropical Fruits!
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2355
  • Tropical Fruit Tree Connoisseur
    • Chattanooga TN 7b
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2022, 12:11:03 PM »
Squirrels ate over a couple hundred worth of seeds in total over the years lol.
Keep the seeds safe or put crates over them.

Amy K

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 105
    • FL zone 8b
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2022, 01:23:18 PM »
Lesson learned. I didn't see this coming at all.

elouicious

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1355
    • Houston, Tx
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2022, 01:47:32 PM »
Squirrels ate over a couple hundred worth of seeds in total over the years lol.
Keep the seeds safe or put crates over them.
crates is a great idea

Ognin525

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 284
    • Buffalo, ny, zone 5b
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #6 on: October 14, 2022, 09:30:00 PM »
Do you guys have chipmunks down there? 
Bill

Amy K

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 105
    • FL zone 8b
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2022, 06:35:25 AM »
Do you guys have chipmunks down there?
I haven't seen that many chipmunk, squirrels, or racoon since I moved to this housing area. Never seen rats either(doesn't mean there ain't any). But there are lots of birds. My guess a squirrel or something must have spot my back yard recently and investigate by destroying my seedlings. Haha

W.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 647
    • United States, Alabama, 7b
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2022, 06:07:18 PM »
Squirrels ate over a couple hundred worth of seeds in total over the years lol.
Keep the seeds safe or put crates over them.

Squirrels and chipmunks are why I germinate my seeds inside. Those vermin do enough damage to my larger plants; seeds and seedlings don't stand much of a chance.

NateTheGreat

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 501
    • SF Bay Area, 9B
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2022, 06:33:20 PM »
Squirrels (and jays) are a seasonal issue. Right now they're being compelled to collect and bury acorns for the winter.  I think they might have another annoying phase in the spring, but most of the year they don't bother my seeds.

Fruitguy

  • Zone 10b - Miami, FL
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 336
    • United States, Miami,Florida Zone 10b
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2022, 08:47:36 PM »
There are few things as frustrating as going out to check on you planted seeds and finding them chews or removed. I built some frames with spare material to protect them. The other night I planted a tray and failed to protect them and every single one was gone in the morning. One night was all it took and the local mice had a feast. These are the frames I built.


Amy K

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 105
    • FL zone 8b
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #11 on: October 23, 2022, 09:05:25 PM »
There are few things as frustrating as going out to check on you planted seeds and finding them chews or removed. I built some frames with spare material to protect them. The other night I planted a tray and failed to protect them and every single one was gone in the morning. One night was all it took and the local mice had a feast. These are the frames I built.

I agree. It is absolutely frustrating and infuriating at the same time. Thanks for showing me your idea. It's perfect. Now I know what people meant by crates!

Fruitguy

  • Zone 10b - Miami, FL
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 336
    • United States, Miami,Florida Zone 10b
    • View Profile
Re: Something eating my seeds?
« Reply #12 on: October 24, 2022, 11:57:27 AM »

I agree. It is absolutely frustrating and infuriating at the same time. Thanks for showing me your idea. It's perfect. Now I know what people meant by crates!
[/quote]

Happy to share. They key things I would point out is to make sure the sides give plenty of clearance so that the seedlings have room to grow before removing the crate,; if you use trays -make the crate as near as possible to the size of your trays (and  flush to the surface) so that critters cannot bypass the crating; and make sure the holes in the screen are small enough to keep the critters out. Nice can get into pretty tight holes. Larger critters may be able to overturn the crates so you may have to weigh them down.